Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818622172789075625/episodes/16818622177777252297
On the morning of the second day of the cultural festival, Nagisa had a bad feeling.
The reason was Kako, whom she happened to make eye contact with in the classroom.
She felt like Kako was giving her a very malicious look, so Nagisa braced herself a little, considering what had happened so far.
She was overcome with a sense of unease that something might happen today.
So, after being released from her classmates, Nagisa rushed over to Mika.
“Um, Nishihoshi san…”
“Amakusa san, what’s up?”
During the party at Tsukushi’s house earlier, Nagisa had observed Mika’s true nature.
Therefore, she smiled wryly at Mika’s obvious pretense and opened her mouth.
“Do you know where Amane san went?”
“…I don’t know, so I’ll go look for her. Oh, by the way, I have something to do, so I’ll stay with you until the afternoon shift.”
“Thank you.”
Nagisa said this with the intention of wanting Mika to keep an eye on her movements.
However, the perceptive Mika immediately understood the situation and volunteered to keep an eye on Kako.
This fact made Nagisa feel guilty.
Mika is also a high school girl with only one chance at life.
It wouldn’t be strange for her to want to enjoy the cultural festival with her friends.
Besides, Nagisa had noticed that Mika had been sticking close to Kako and watching her since the preparation period began.
But even so, she felt a strange uneasiness, as if she had a sense of mission that she had to say something.
And if, by any chance, her childhood friend approached Tsukushi, it would not be good for Reisa either.
That would be the most troubling thing for Mika.
“…..I’ll have to apologize next time.”
As she watched Mika walk away briskly, Nagisa muttered those words to herself.
◇
After Nagisa said that, Mika immediately left the school building.
“Given that person’s personality, they probably won’t stay inside the school building. But if she goes out onto the main street, there are a lot of boys from other schools today, and she’ll get hit on and it’ll be annoying…so the courtyard is the safest bet.”
Mika searched while muttering to herself, predicting her actions based on her analysis.
And her prediction was correct; within a few minutes, Mika managed to spot Kako.
She had already planned to keep an eye on Kako even before Nagisa told her to, so Mika was a little surprised when Kako spoke to her.
She hadn’t expected her to make such an offer.
“As expected, the second-best student in the school is no slouch.”
She muttered under her breath, letting out a slight smile.
However, that smile quickly faded.
Mika looked at the scene in front of her and immediately realized that she had arrived too late.
In front of the cotton candy stand, Kako had already met up with Tsukushi.
Mika, who could barely hear their whispered conversation from about 10 meters away, watched the two from behind a pillar.
It seemed that they had happened to meet while trying to buy the same thing.
What a coincidence, Mika thought, holding her head in her hands.
Or perhaps it was fate…she couldn’t help but frown.
As they began walking, their conversation grew sparse, and whenever they exchanged words, the atmosphere quickly turned tense.
They certainly didn’t appear to be on good terms.
But that wasn’t the issue.
Mika had heard about the incident at the fast-food restaurant from her fellow maids.
She also knew, to some extent, what had been discussed there.
Over the past few weeks, she had casually probed the topic when she was with Kako, and at that time, Kako had proudly revealed how she had mocked Tsukushi. Mika had a fairly clear understanding of the nature of their relationship.
Therefore, she wanted to prevent this encounter at all costs.
If she had found Kako sooner, she could have summoned her under some meaningless pretext as usual.
Lately, Kako has been bothering her quite a bit.
Even yesterday’s exchange made Mika want to laugh.
What, confusing condensed milk with milk?
There’s no way she’d make such a mistake.
Especially since she’s a professional maid who’s been working at the mansion for years.
The reason she has been following Kako is to keep an eye on her for any suspicious behavior.
Mika had noticed that Kako harbored ill will toward Nagisa, so she was particularly vigilant about that.
In fact, Kako had made some suspicious moves, and Mika suspected she might have been planning to play a prank on Nagisa’s costume.
Mika had seen through her.
As she pondered her next move, the two finished their cotton candy and left the area.
With no choice but to follow, Mika trailed after them.
After a while, the two started talking to a girl from another school whom they didn’t know.
The content was…well, it was a lovers’ quarrel caused by a misunderstanding, typical of Edano Tsukushi.
Mika watched with a sullen look on her face, and then confirmed that Kako had run away.
She immediately tried to chase after Kako, but Mika stopped when she saw Tsukushi’s face.
[Shouldn’t you chase after her?]
[It’s okay. She seems to really hate me. She’s been bullying me since we started high school, and I’m sure she doesn’t want to see my face today.]
[…Then I’ll go. I kind of understand the situation.]
[Eh?]
Tsukushi, who had been left behind by the other girl, looked more depressed than ever.
His face looked like he was about to cry, like someone whose heart had been crushed.
There was no doubt that the cause of this was Kako.
After much deliberation, Tsukushi finally sighed and started to follow the two girls, and Mika couldn’t help but speak up.
“You shouldn’t chase after him, Tsukushi. …It’s an abuse of authority, but there’s no other choice.”
Mika apologized to Nagisa in her heart and immediately called Reisa on her work phone.
Since it was a device she only used in emergencies, Reisa answered immediately despite being at work.
[What’s wrong !?]
[I’m sorry for the urgency. Reisa-sama, please head to the special building immediately.]
[Huh? Why?]
[Otherwise, Tsukushi will be hurt.]
[!? …I understand.]
When Mika saw Tsukushi’s face earlier, she decided she couldn’t ignore it any longer.
Even while they were talking, Tsukushi’s face looked like he was at his limit to Mika.
It was obvious that if she continued to pursue Kako, Tsukushi would only get hurt.
Besides, there was the content of the conversation.
That was…close
If Kako realized her misunderstanding about Tsukushi and changed her attitude toward him, the relationship between Reisa and Tsukushi would be in jeopardy.
Tsukushi is obviously lenient toward his childhood friend, and it can’t be ruled out that he might forgive Kako and try to mend their relationship.
As someone supporting Reisa’s love, Mika has no choice but to stop Kako, even if it’s unfair to her.
And she’ll keep these details from Reisa as well.
She doesn’t feel guilty about manipulating the situation; she just wants to be by Tsukushi’s side.
Mika believed that if she took it all on herself, that would be enough.
[Thank you.]
[Please don’t thank me. Over the past few days, even though it was in public, I teased Lady Reisa too much. It was an excessive action. I apologize.]
[Eh? It’s fine. I’m not angry. It was a little refreshing and fun.]
[I appreciate your generosity. Now, hurry up.]
Eighty percent of the complaints Mika had made to Reisa while pretending to be her friend were, to be honest, a little bit of teasing in response to how Reisa usually treated her.
However, Mika didn’t mention her true feelings.
With a subtle smile, the conversation ended.
After expressing her gratitude, Mika hung up the phone immediately.
It was unfortunate for Nagisa, but Mika was Reisa’s personal maid.
In situations like this, she had to serve her master.
It wasn’t fair to target Reisa when she was vulnerable, but she didn’t care.
After coming to terms with this, Mika pondered.
“…I’m just guessing, but if it’s not the special wing, then it’s hopeless. I’ll go too.
◇
“Where is that guy…!”
I was chasing after Kako, walking through the special wing with my head in my hands.
I chased after her, but I couldn’t find her anywhere.
I ended up in a place with few people, but there was really no one there.
If she’s not there, then it’s a complete reversal of the situation.
In the end, I came here without sorting out my feelings.
What should I talk about when I see her?
I haven’t thought about it at all.
To be honest, I’m scared to meet her.
She’s the kind of person who brings up unpleasant things whenever she opens her mouth, and to be honest, I don’t really want to talk to her.
As I was thinking about all this, I heard footsteps behind me.
“Kako—I mean, Reisa !”
For a moment, I thought she was the person I was looking for, but it turned out to be Reisa.
I was relieved to see her happy face.
I couldn’t help but get excited.
Then Reisa burst out laughing at me.
“What’s that? I’ve never seen anyone react like that after mistaking someone for someone else.”
“Well, I wasn’t exactly happy…”
“Huh? Aren’t you happy to see me?”
“Of course I’m happy.”
“! Gee…haa.”
“Anyway, why are you here? What about your class?”
When I asked her about her uniform, Reisa blushed.
“I’m a little early, but I’m tired. I’ve worked, so it’s okay, right?”
“You’re so casual.”
“Never mind that ! …Why do you look so gloomy?”
I thought about it and remained silent.
The reason for my gloomy expression was obviously because of him.
However, after a moment’s hesitation, I decided to tell her.
For some reason, I wanted Reisa to hear it.
“Actually…”
I told her everything—about seeing Kako again today, the exchange we had,
why we ended up eating cotton candy together, and how I got into a fight with an old friend named Yamayoshi afterward.
I spilled it all.
“…She didn’t explain anything.”
“Huh? Did you say something?”
“I’m just talking to myself ! Anyway, so that’s what happened.”
“Sorry for making you listen to all that.”
“No. I’m glad you told me.”
The two of us leaned on the window sill and looked out at the view.
Then, Reisa said with a smile.
“Kako san likes Tsukushi, doesn’t she?”
“…..”
I looked at Reisa’s face.
Yeah.
Considering everything that’s happened, anyone would think that.
In fact, I had thought so too.
Until that exchange at the fast food restaurant that summer.
“I always thought she liked me too. But she said it wasn’t true. She said a virgin like me, who’s nerdy and useless, couldn’t possibly be attractive to her. She said it was a huge misunderstanding. If she says so herself, then there’s no way it’s true.”
“…Maybe she’s just being shy?”
“Who would use a cover-up to date someone else and…you know? Besides, what kind of person would think to flaunt that person to their true love? Did they want to make me jealous because I didn’t notice them? Haha, no way.”
“That’s probably not it. …No, maybe there’s a chance with that person?”
“Even if that’s the case, I don’t care.”
I’ve given it my all.
How much time do you think I’ve invested in that person?
Even after being treated like a punching bag, I kept hanging out with her because I thought she liked me.
And because I cared about her too.
She’s my childhood friend, after all.
She was the only friend who would talk to me even when I was a bookworm, and back then, I thought that way even when she was a nuisance.
It was that person who ruined everything.
Even that day at the fast-food restaurant, I asked her to be kind to me.
But she just laughed it off.
What else could I have done?
“You were chasing after her, weren’t you? Is that okay now?”
“Yeah. Now I’m with Reisa.”
“Eh?”
“We’re finally together, and you’re listening to this nonsense. I’m done with this. Besides, I’ve come to my senses. Thanks, I feel calmer now.”
Talking to Kako doesn’t accomplish anything.
Just like when we talked earlier, I’m still just a punching bag to him.
Even after that conversation after the mock exam, nothing has changed.
It’s probably my fault too, but if he doesn’t like me that much, he should just stay away.
Then, Reisa asked one last question.
“Tsukushi.”
“What?”
“Why didn’t you explain to Kako san about Yamayoshi san when you were in middle school?”
“Well…”
When she asked me that kind of question, I avoided giving details.
There’s a reason for that.
It’s embarrassing, a man’s pride.
“…If it got out that I was putting in so much effort behind the scenes to teach her, it would be lame. Effort is cool because it’s done in secret.”
“…You’re such a boy.”
“You thought I was an idiot, didn’t you?”
“Well, yeah.”
It’s just how it is.
But that petty pride was important to me back then.
I just wanted to look cool in front of someone who liked me.
Because saying something like, “I’m studying with other girl for your sake” would be embarrassing.
To begin with, I didn’t even explain it to Yamayoshi.
He had figured out halfway through that I was talking about studying to teach Kako, but honestly, I had no intention of telling anyone.
I never thought such a misunderstanding would arise.
What the hell, me and Yamayoshi dating?
From what I could see, he didn’t even notice me.
I smiled at Reisa and laughed weakly in return.
Ah…I feel calm.
When we’re together, I feel truly at ease.
I’m really glad I met this girl.
“Thank you, Reisa.”
“…What the hell? You’re weird, Tsukushi.”
“Really?”
After that, Reisa and I talked for a while.
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